Protective transfer cover apparatus



y 20, 1965 1'. T. TAYLOR ETAL 3,

PROTECTIVE TRANSFER COVER APPARATUS Filed Jan. 29, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 III INVENTORS THOMAS T- TAYLoQ, CLYDE E. Kaux Joan H .RAPPOLD ATTORNEY S July 20, 1965 T. 'r. TAYLOR ETAL 3,195,943

PROTECTIVE TRANSFER COVER APPARATUS Filed Jan. 29, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 SBFIG. 3

.LOG

INVENTORS THOMAS T. TAYLQQ. CLYDE E. KELLY 3'' JOHN HRAPPQLD w im ATTORNEY .S

y 20, 1965 T. T. TAYLOR ETAL 3, 5,

PROTECTIVE TRANSFER COVER APPARATUS Filed. Jan. 29, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS m THoMAs Y. TAYLOE, CLYDE -E. KELLYf; JOHN H. QAPPQLD ATTORNEYS July 20, 1965 Filed Jan. 29, 1965 T. T. TAYLOR ETAL PROTECTIVE TRANSFER COVER APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 g INVENTORS l THoMAs T. TAYLQR, CLYDE. 'E-KELLY &\

Jen-n4 H. RAPPOLD WMM ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,195,943 PROTECTIVE TRANSFER C(WER APPARATUS Thomas T. Taylor, Newport News, Clyde E. Kelly, Suffolk, and John H. Rappold, Newport News, Va., assignors to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Va., a corporation of Virginia Filed Jan. 29, 1963, Ser. No. 254,668 3 Claims. (Cl. 294-131) The present invention relates to new and novel protective transfer cover apparatus, and more particularly to a type of apparatus of this nature which is substantially weatherproof and which further incorporates a collapsible portion to permit the apparatus to be moved into certain peculiar transfer positions.

In many instances, it is necessary to transfer articles from one position to another in inclement weather or other adverse atmospheric conditions. In many instances, the article to be transferred may be of such a nature that it is important to prevent it from coming in contact with water, or it may be necessary to protect the article such that the sun for example does not beat down upon it and excessively raise the temperature thereof. It is accordingly apparent that there are many occasions when it is necessary to provide a protective transfer cover apparatus which will substantially surround and cover the article when it is being moved from one position to another without the benefit of a surrounding protective building or the like, and wherein the ambient weather conditions may be heavy rain and/or wind, for example.

The present invention is particularly directed to an arrangement which permits the protective transfer cover apparatus to be disposed in operative relationship to a suitable article when the article is in various positions. For example, in some cases, the article to be covered may be of an elongated nature and disposed in a horizontal position. In other cases, such an article may be disposed in an upright position. It is a feature of the present invention that it can be readily mounted in operative position relative to the article in either of these positions, or for that matter in any intermediate position.

The present invention also incorporates a novel construction which permits it to operate under certain conditions which may often exist regarding the storage of the articles. In many cases, the article may be stored in some sort of a depression or well wherein access is gained to the article through a suitable opening provided in an overlying supporting surface. In such instances, it is desirable to provide a protective transfer cover apparatus which will enable the apparatus to be readily secured to the article while the article is disposed below the level of said supporting surface.

In the present invention, the protective transfer cover apparatus includes a body means formed of flexible mate rial and an intermediate collapsible portion is provided which permits the body means to be collapsed into a very compact position and furthermore which permits a portion of the body means to drop below the level of a supporting surface while the remainder of the protective transfer cover apparatus remains above the supporting surface.

In addition, the apparatus of the present invention includes a rigid framework which can be disposed below the level of such supporting surface and which includes means for attachment both to the article to be transferred as well as to suitable article transfer mechanism such as a crane or the like. It will be understood that the present apparatus will be generally employed with relatively large articles which will require the utilization of some sort of power driven lifting mechanism and the like. However, it is evident that the structure of the present invention is lCe equally adapted for use with smaller articles which could be manually lifted if desired.

The apparatus of the present invention also includes an auxiliary cover means which is adapted to replace a normal permanent cover associated with a hole in a supporting surface. The auxiliary cover means is utilized in combination with the .aforedescribed body means so as to cooperate therewith during the transfer procedure and prevent the entry of undesired matter into the depression or well within which the article is stored.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel protective transfer cover apparatus for use in protecting articles being moved from place to place as by a lifting crane or the like.

Another object of the invention is the provision of protective transfer cover apparatus which is substantially weather-proof and provides protection against the sun, wind, rain and similar conditions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide protective transfer cover apparatus which can be readily assembled and disassembled relative to an article to be transferred, and which is operative when the article must be lifted from or lowered to a level below that of a supporting surface, the apparatus serving to completely protect the article at all times.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of protective transfer cover apparatus which can be folded into a compact structural arrangement for storage purposes, but which is expandable for receiving an article of elongated dimension.

Still another object of the invention is to provide protective transfer cover apparatus which is quite simple and inexpensive in construction, and yet which is sturdy and reliable in use.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent when considered in connection with the specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view partially is longitudinal section illustrating various steps in the utilization of the apparatus of the present invention for transferring an article;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view partially broken away on an enlarged scale illustrating the body means of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view partially broken away illustrating the rigid framework at the upper portion of the apparatus, along with a part of the flexible body means;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view through a portion of the collapsible portion of the body means of the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view illustrating the detail of mounting a reinforcing ring in the upper portion of the body means;

FIG. 8 is a view partially in section illustrating the manner in which the body means can be folded into a compact position for storage; and

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section through an auxiliary cover means for use with the body means of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a storage well which is defined by a top Wall 10 which provides an upwardly facing supporting surface, a bottom wall 11, and a pair of side walls 12 and 13. This storage well may be of any construction and shape as will be apparent, and the storage well is adapted to receive suitable articles 15 which are normally stored within the well. As shown, articles, 15 may comprise elongated substantially cylindrical tanks, it being apparent that any type or shape of article may be, employed, although the protective transfer cover apparatus of the present. invention is illustrated as defining an elongated hollow body means which is particularly adapted for receiving elongated'articles such as 7 indicated on the drawings. The stored articles may attaching means such as indicated by reference numeral 16, and which in the present instance, comprises a pair.

be provided with any suitable I and which may be formedas a relatively thin sheet of readily deformable material. The body means includes an upper substantially frusto-conically shaped portion -69 including a substantially cylindrical portion 611 which is adapted'to fit snugly aboutthe outer surface of the cylindrical portion of member 30, the upper end edge of portion ll being doubled upon itself and surrounding an annular piece of rope or the like indicated by reference numeral 62. A clamp means indicatedgenerally by reference numeral 65 is provided for securing portion 61 of the body means securely to the cylindrical portion of member 3i clamp means .65 being of relatively conventional construction and comprising a pair of substantially semicircular members 66 having radially outwardly extending ears at the opposite ends thereof, the adjacent ears of each of members 66 being retained in operative position by nut and bolt assemblies extending through suitable openings provided in these ears. a

It is apparent that the clamping means will cooperate with the enlarged upper end edge of'portion 61 which ineludes the rope Welt 62' so as to positively, prevent the ber'25 such as disclosed in operative position within hole 24. This permanent cover member may be of any suitable construction so as to provide a weather proof 'seal with the upper wall 10 when in operative position,

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 6 inclusive, the construction of the protective transfer cover apparatus of the present invention will be more clearly understood.

;means isoonnected as by stitching or the like to a subbody means from pulling away from the rigid framework during use of the apparatus.

7 Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 7, itwill beseen that the lower portion of the frusto-conical portion 60'o-f the body stantially cylindrical body portion indicated by reference At one end portion of the apparatus, a rigid framework is provided as seen particularly inFIG. 4, this framework including a central sturdy and rigid portion which may be formed of steel or the like, member-30 having an enlarged boss 31 formed atone end thereof and another enlarged boss 32 formed at theotherend thereof. Thecentral portion of member 30 is substantially cylindrical,

and four equally spaced radially outwardly: projecting supports 31 are securedto the central portion of member 39. Each of these supports 31 includes. a downwardly projecting arm portion 32 as seen in F164 which joins with a radially outwardly extending arm portion 33 to thereby provide a substantially V-shaped support means. Each of the support means is suitably rigidly secured to portion 30 as by welding orthe like, and an annular ring portion 35 is secured at spaced portions thereof' to the outer ends of each of supports 31 as by welding or the like to thereby provide a rigid framework for supporta ing the upper part ofthe'body means hereinafter more fully described. lt'will be understood that each of membars 32, 33 and 35 may be of tubular construction so as to provide a high degree of strength-while at the same. time minimizing the weight of the rigid framework. l A lower attaching means comprises asubstantiallyU- shaped member 49 having a pair of enlarged bosses41 and 42 formed at the upper ends of the legs thereof. This lower attaching meansv is held in operative position and pivotally connected with the rigid framework by means of an I-bolt 45 which. extendsthrough suitable aligned openings provided in bosses 41, 32 and 42, the outer end of the I-bolt being threaded and receiving, a nut 46 threaded thereon for retaining it in operative position.

An upper attaching means 50 is also of substantially U-shaped configuration, the lower ends ofthe. two legs thereof comprising enlarged bosses51and .52. The

upper attaching means 50 is detachably secured to the rigid framework by means of a bolt 53 which'extends through aligned openings provided in bosses. 51', 31 and 52, the outer end of bolt 53 being threaded and having a nut 54 threaded thereonfor retaining bolt 53 inoperative position whereby the upper attaching'means 50 is pivotally attached to the rigid framework. 7

numeral 70, an annularly extending flap portion 72 also being connected as by'stitching to the junction between members 60 and 70, member 72 having the opposite ends thereof disposed adjacentone another so as to substantially encompass a reinforcing tubular ring 73, the ring 73 be'ingrcftained within flap 72 by means of lacing 75 which extends through suitable openings spaced along the adjacent, edges of the opposite end portions of flap 72 as will be readily understood from an inspection of FIG. 7. With this arrangement, the tubular ring. 73 formed of inetal will serve to reinforce the body means and cause 'it' t-o retain the desired shape While inuse.

Referring particularly to FIG. 3, it willgbe seen that.

member 70 extends downwardly and at i-ts'lower end is provided with a flap portion 77 which is suitably secured thereto as by stitching, flap 77 being annular and similar to flap 72 previously described.

'Flap 77 is provided for the purposeof encompassing and retaining in position a rigid tubular ring 78 similar to ring 73. but of larger diameter, ring 78' being retained in operative positionby means of lacing 79 which extends through appropriatespaced'openings provided in adjacent edges of the opposite portions of flap 7-7. It is apparent that ring 78 will further cause the body means to' re-tain its position as shown'in the drawings while suspended from the rigid framework in use.

. as by stitching transparent flexible material as indicated by reference numerals 81, 82, 83 and 8-4, these pieces of transparent material beingformed of suitable plastic or the like and comprising observation ports through which an observer may examine the articles suspended within the apparatus during the transfer operation.

'In addition, the portion 70 of the body means may be provided with one or more openings with which suitable access sleevcs are connected. As shown, a pair of access sleeves 85 and as are shown, each of these sleeves being hollow and being in communicationwith the hollow interior of the body means such that access may be gained to the interior of the body means while in use and during the time that an article is suspended within the body means.

. Suitable reinforcing means extending longitudinally of thebody means may be provided, and as shown, strips of flexible weather-proof material-which in particular must i be waterproof such 'as synthetic rubber, plastic, many webbing 8'8 and 89 are suitably secured as by stitching to the outer surface of portions 70 and 60, this webbing being formed-of any suitable ,flexible'relatively strong paratus.

example, four such strips may be provided, each strip extending between adjacent observation ports.

Extending downwardly from the portion 70 is a collapsible folding or bellows-like portion indicated generally by reference numeral 90, and the construction of this bellows like portion will be understood more clearly from an inspection of FIG. 6. A plurality of substantially frusto-conical shaped sections of material 91 and 92 are interconnected with one another as shown. It will be noted that the uppermost portions of each of sections 92 is wrapped around an annular spring wire ring 95 or other suitable reinforcing means, and the lowermost edge portion of each of sections 91 is wrapped around the uppermost portion of each of sections 92 and the rings 95, the uppermost edge portions of sections 92 and the lowermost edge portions of sections 91 being secured in operative position as shown by an annular ring of stitching indicated by reference numeral 96.

The inner peripheries of the adjacent sections 91 and 92 are secured to one another by an annular ring of stitching indicated by reference numeral 97. It is accordingly clear that a bellows-like construction is provided which is adapted to fold up into a very compact arrangement for storage purposes and yet which is adapted to readily expand as required to accommodate an article to be received within the body means. i As indicated in FIG. 2, one or more of the sections 92 may be provided with a plurality of spaced openings over which is suitably secured transparent portions 100 to serve as observation ports. Also, one or more of the portions 91 may be provided with a plurality of spaced openings having suitable pieces of transparent material 101 secured thereover to serve as observation ports.

Means is provided for limiting the expansion movement of the collapsible portion 90 in the form of a plurality of strips of webbing 105 which are each secured as by stitching to the bot-tom edge of member 70 and then extend downwardly and are secured as by stitching or the like to the outer edges of sections 91 and 92 which encompass the spring rings 95. It is apparent that these strips of webbing 135 will positively limit the expanding movement of the collapsible portion. Webbing 105 may be of the same material as the webbing previously discussed.

"In many instances, the body means may be suspended in an elevated position and it may be desirable to raise or lower the collapsible portion of the body means as well as the flexible portion 70 thereof. F or this purpose, a plurality of pulley blocks are connected by means of webbing portions 106 to portion 60 of the body means, lines extending over said pulley blocks and thence downwardly inside of the body means as seen in FIG. 3 and finally through an opening 199 provided adjacent the bottom of the bottom of the collapsible portion 90. It will be apparent that by manipulating the opposite end portion of each of lines 107, the body means may be raised or lowered as desired during operation of the ap- Any suitable number of pulley blocks may be provided, and as illustrated, a pair of pulley blocks may be disposed on each side of the body means.

The apparatus also incorporates means'for retaining the collapsible portion of the body means in its collapsed compact position for the purpose of storage, and this means may take the form of a pair of diametrically opposite strips of webbing 115 having a snap hook 116 connected to the outer end thereof. The manner in which webbing strips 115 and snap hooks 116 are utilized may be understood most clearly as seen in FIG. 8, wherein the collapsed body portion is shown in its storage position, and wherein each of the strips of webbing 115 extends downwardly on the outside of the collapsed-body means, thence around the bottom thereof and upwardly within the collapsed body means and thence over the upper portion of the collapsed body means with the snap hooks 6 116 at the end of each of strips interconnected with the lacing 79 previously discussed to thereby retain the collapsed body portion 90 in operative storage position as shown.

It will also be noted as seen most clearly in FIG. 8 that the bottommost portion of the collapsible body portion 90 is doubled over as indicated at 1 20 about an annular tubular reinforcing member 121 which may be of metal and the like so that the bottom portion of the collapsible body portion will readily retain its circular configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an auxiliary cover means is illustrated which is adapted to be placed in overlying relationship to one of the holes in wall 10 previously described, the auxiliary cover means being used in place of the permanent cover means which is normally in the hole, the auxiliary cover means being cooperative with the body means of the apparatus as hereinafter described so as to provide complete protection.

As seen in FIG. 9, a base portion includes a vertically extending side wall which may be substantially cylindrical in configuration, this wall including vertically extending reinforcing members 132 at spaced points therealong and an annular reinforcing member 133 of substantially L-shaped cross-sectional configuration is secured to the upper portion of the inner surface of wall 130 while a channel member 134 is secured to a lower portion of the inner surface of wall 130 to reinforce the side wall portion.

Support means for the base portion is indicated by reference numeral 135 and is connected to the side wall 130 by means of plates 136. A plate 138 having a downwardly facing arcuate surface is secured to the lower portion of the side wall 130 and has secured to the under surface thereof a sealing means indicated by reference numeral 140 which may comprise a tubular member of rubber or similar material which is adapted to be deformed under the weight of the auxiliary cover means until the base support means 135 is seated on the surface of wall 10, sealing means 140 serving to provide a fluidtight seal relative to the portion 10. i

A first lid portion is indicated generally by reference numeral and includes an annular vertically extending wall 146 which joins with an annular horizontally extending wall portion 147 having a channel portion 148 extending around the outer periphery thereof for receiving the upper edge portion of the side wall 130 of the base portion. The first lid portion is disclosed in its operative position on the lower base portion, and suitable latches may be provided for holding the first lid portion in operative position as shown. It will be noted that the upwardly facing surface 150 of wall 147 provides a surface which is adapted to receive the lower end of the collapsible portion of the body means of the apparatus previously described which is indicated in FIG. 9 schematically by reference numeral 90. When the lower end of the body means does engage surface 150, the weight of the body means will serve to provide an efiective seal between these portions.

A second lid portion indicated generally by reference numeral 152 includes a flat disc-like plate 153 having an annular channel member 154 secured to the outer periphery thereof for receiving the upper edge portion of wall 146 of the first lid portion. The second lid portion also includes a plurality of transversely extending channel members 155 secured to the under surface thereof for reinforcing the second lid portion.

Suitable'handle members indicated by reference numerals 160, 161 and 162 are connected to the base portion, the first lid portion and the second lid portion respectively to facilitate handling of these elements. Any desired number and spacing of the handle portions may be utilized as is convenient.

It is, of course, apparent that the base portion, the

first lid portion and the second lid'portion may be disassembled from one another and stowed in a more compact relationship if desired. The body means along with "is fully extended andtheiarticle is disposed therewithin and completelyprotected by the. surrounding body means.

Once the lower portion of the body means'has been therigid framework associated therewith as seen in FIG.

8 'is normally stowed in a compact collapsed position, and the upper and lower attaching means may be removed from the rigid portion 30 of the framework until it is desired to employ the apparatus. a V 1 V When it is desired to perform a'transfer operation, the permanent cover is' removed from whichever hole it is desired to operate' in conjunction with, and the auxiliary coverjisplaced in position over this hole. The auxiliary cover is shown in this operative position in FIG; 9, wherein the permanent cover which would normally overlie the hole'isindicated in phantom line by reference numeral 165. The auxiliary cover means is provided primarily to prevent the entry of water or other undesired matter through thehole which it overlies during the transfer operation.

The body means and the rigid framework is then removed from its storage position and the upper at-' taching means 50 is secured thereto' as indicated in FIG.

4, this upperattaching means in turn' then being secured to a crane hook such as indicated in FIG. 1 by reference numeral 170, the hook being suspended from a line 171 I which passes over asheave. 172 mounted at the outer end of a' eraneboom indicated: by reference numeral 173.

It will be understood that this lifting arrangementiis shown for the purpose of illustration only, and that any suitable means may be employed for this purpose. At

this point, it should beunderstood' that the framework while the body means will-in turn besuspended, from the rigid framework, the collapsible portion 90 stillbeing retained in its up position by means ofthe webbing portions 115 and the associated snap hooks.

The apparatus is then moved to a position such that it is in overlying relationship to the hole which has the auxiliary cover means disposed thereover. 'For example, in FIG. l,the apparatus may be disposed over any of openings 21, 22 or 23 which are each illustrated {as having an auxiliary cover means associated therewith. The second lid portion of the auxiliary cover is then removed and the crane hook is lowered such that the collapsed body portion is supported on the shoulder 'of the auxiliary cover means while theupper portions60 and 70 of the body means are allowed to droop downwardly inside the collapsed portion to the. position-indicated relativeto hole 22 in FIG. 1. In this position, the rigid framework is disposed closely adjacent the attaching means at the top of the associated article, and the lower attaching means 40 of the apparatus is then secured in operative position was to connect the'lower portion of the rigid framework to the attaching means at the upper portion of the article to be transferred.

of the apparatus will be suspended from the hook 170 lifted clear of the auxiliary cover means the secondlid portion may be replaced in its operative: relationship so as toprotect the holethrough portion] 10. Any suitable latch means maybe employed for retraining the second lid portion in operative position relative't'o the first lid portion. 7 p p If it is subsequently desired to attach some means such as a shock absorber on the lower end of the article being transferred, thecollapsible body means may be raised and retained in its up position so-as to provide thedesired clearance while such means is: being secured in position. The'collapsible cover portion may then be again released so as to'lower into engagement with any means which may have been secureditothe article.

' It will'be understood that when thearticle to be trans ferred is subsequently placed into position in a correspond ing well or any similar installation, the stepsof the above procedure 'will be reversed, and the steps of unloading the article fromthe cover apparatus would be in sequence from right to left as seen in FIG..1, rather than in the sequence ,of left to right as previously described in removing the article from its stored position.

It will, of course, be understood that in raising and loweringthe collapsiblerportion of the body means as may be necessitated during operation, the lines 107 previously described will be manipulated for accomplishing this result. r i Y I While the apparatiis has been illustrated asbeing employed with an article which is normally storedin a vertical position, the apparatus may also be installed over the end of a horizontally disposed article, and the collapsible body portion pulled onto the article as the article is lifted.

It isapparent from the foregoing that there is provided a new and novel protective transfer cover apparatus which is'employed for protecting articles from the elements when such articles are being'rnoved from place to place as by a lifting crane or other type of means. The construction of the apparatus is such that it is substantially weather-proof and will provide effective and continuous protection against sun,'wind,'rain and so forth. The rigid framework of the apparatus permits the apparatus to be readily assembled and disassembled with respect to an article to be transferred, and the. arrangement is such that it is particularly adaptable for connection and disconnectionffrom an article which is disposed within a 'in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

well and wherein it is necessary that the apparatus be of such a construction as to depend .through an associated 'hole over the well as has been amply and fully illustrated The body means of thepres- Vent invention also incorporates a collapsible portion'along 7 It will, of course, be understood that in' this position, full protection is provided such that there is no pos- "sibility' of any foreign matter entering through the hole 22. The crane hook is then lifted upwardlyuntiL-the access sleeves and 86 are accessible whereupon-any suitable adjustments may be made orany lines or other connectionswhich may be desired to pass through the" access sleeves may'be accommodated through the access sleeves. The sleeves are than tightened by binding them or the like so as to make them'water-proof.

'The-webbingllS and the snap hooks at the end thereof are then released so as to allow" the collapsible body portion 90 to unfold from its compact position. The

crane hook is then lifted and ash rises, the collapsible 7 body means will start to expand as illustratedin the body meansand article'associated with hole 23. .It will be understood, that the "body means will continue toexpand untilit finally reaches the position illustrated in overlying relationship to hole 24 wherein the b-ody'me ans with means for retaining this collapsibleflportion in its compact collapsed position such that the apparatus is quite readily stored in a small space, and yet which is expandable to; accommodate a relatively large article.

The construction of the apparatus .of the present invention is quite simple. and inexpensive, and yet at the same tlme is very sturdy and reliable in use.

A's' this, invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential character .hollow bodymeans formed of. flexible water-proof material and including a closed endportion andv an opposite open end portion, .a rigid framework disposed within said body means at said closed end portion, clamping means for securely attaching said body means to said rigid framework, said framework including a lower attaching means for attaching the framework to an article to be transferred, said rigid framework also including an upper attaching means extending outwardly of said body means for attachment to a suitable transfer mechanism, a portion of said body means adjacent said closed end portion having reinforcing means connected therewith, said body means including a bellows-like collapsible portion intermediate said closed end portion and said opposite open end portion, means for limiting expansion movement of said collapsible portion, means for remotely controlling the collapsing and expanding movement of said collapsible portion, and means for retaining said collapsible portion in its collapsed compact position when desired, and including in combination an auxiliary cover means having a removable lid portion disposed in the central area thereof, said auxiliary cover means also including a portion defining an annular surface for receiving the opposite open end portion of said body means and for maintaining a seal therewith to prevent access of undesired matter into the interior of the auxiliary cover means or the body means.

2. Protective transfer cover apparatus for transferring a large rigid elongated heavy article with respect to a storage means having an access opening and comprising a hollow body means for receiving and protecting therein an article to be transferred, said body means including a closed sealed upper end portion, said body means having an open lower end portion for receiving an article to be transferred and for defining a seal with respect to an access opening of a storage means, first attaching means disposed within said body adjacent the closed end portion for supporting the article to be transferred, second attaching means extending outwardly of said closed end portion for attachment to suitable power operated transfer mechanism, said body means also including a collapsible tubular portion intermediate said upper end portion and said lower end portion, said collapsible tubular portion being capable of collapsing while said first attaching means is attached to an article to be transferred and while said second attaching means is attached to a transfer mechanism with the body means in non-surrounding relationship to an article to be transferred.

3. Protective transfer cover apparatus comprising a hollow body means for receiving and protecting therein a large rigid elongated heavy article to be transferred, said body means including a closed sealed upper end portion, said body means having an open lower end portion for receiving an article to be transferred, first attaching means disposed within said body adjacent the closed end portion for supporting the article to be transferred, second attaching means extending outwardly of said closed end portion for attachment to suitable power operated transfer mechanism, said body means also including a collapsible tubular portion intermediate said upper end portion and said lower end portion, said collapsible tubular portion being capable of collapsing while said first attaching means is attached to an article to be transferred and while said second attaching means is attached to a transfer mechanism with the body means in non-surrounding relationship to an article to be transferred, storage means for containing articles to be transferred, means defining an access opening to said storage means and being adapted to engage the lower end portion of said body means for maintaining a seal therewith to prevent entrance of undesired matter through said access opening.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 346,346 7/86 Banks.

645,890 3/00 Conrad -8 2,372,439 3/45 Lofgren. 2,575,893 11/51 Seaman -52 2,619,225 11/52 Mintz. 2,817,096 12/57 Roth 9242 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

ANDRES H. NIELSEN, Examiner. 

1. PROTECTIVE TRANSFER COVER APPARATUS COMPRISING A HOLLOW BODY MEANS FORMED OF FLEXIBLE WATER-PROOF MATERIAL AND INCLUDING A CLOSED END PORTION AND AN OPPOSITE OPEN END PORTION, A RIGID FRAMEWORK DISPOSED WITHIN SAID BODY MEANS AT SAID CLOSED END PORTION, CLAMPING MEANS FOR SECURELY ATTACHING SAID BODY MEANS TO SAID RIGID FRAMEWORK, SAID FRAMEWORK INCLUDING A LOWER ATTACHING MEANS FOR ATTACHING THE FRAMEWORK TO AN ARTICLE TO BE TRANSFERRED, SAID RIGID FRAMEWORK ALSO INCLUDING AN UPPER ATTACHING MEANS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF SAID BODY MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT TO A SUITABLE TRANSFER MECHANISM A PORTION OF SAID BODY MEANS ADJACENT SAID CLOSED END PORTION HAVING REINFORCING MEANS CONNECTED THEREWITH SAID BODY MEANS INCLUDING A BELLOWS-LIKE COLLAPSIBLE PORTION INTERMEDIATE SAID CLOSED END PORTION AND SAID PORPOSITE OPEN END PORTION, MEANS FOR LIMIING EXPANSION MOVEMENT OF SAID COLLAPSIBLE PORTION, MEANS FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING THE COLLAPSING AND EXPANDING MOVEMENT OF SAID COLLAPSIBLE PORTION, AND MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID COLLAPSIBLE PORTION IN ITS COLLAPSED COMPACT POSITION WHEN DESIRED, AND INCLUDING IN COMBINATION AN AUXILIARY COVER MEANS HAVING A REMOVABLE LID PORTION DISPOSED IN THE CENTRAL AREA THEREOF, SAID AUXILIARY COVER MEANS ALSO INCLUDING A PORTION DEFINING AN ANNULAR SURFACE FOR RECEIVING THE 